Leveraging Technology and Digital Solutions in Assessing Under 5 Population to Ascertain Percentage of SAM/MAM Cases in Cross River State: Pilot Research

• Author(s): Ubana Nkem ; Ogar Winifred ; Owai Ebenezer ; Vivien Otu ; Bong Duke
• Paper ID: 1709993
• Page: 27-28
• Published Date: 07-08-2025
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 2 August-2025

Abstract

The Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW) in Cross River State, Nigeria, was designed to improve access to essential Nutrition and Health services for women and children, particularly at the community level. This study reports on a pilot monitoring and assessment exercise conducted across all 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in June 2024, aimed at assessing the prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) among children under five years of age leveraging on the digital electronic tool(e-MUAC). Using mobile electronic data collection tools(e-MUAC), 4,480 children representing 0.5% of the under-five population (869,150) were screened. The data showed an increase in SAM prevalence from 1.1% (based on 2018 NNHS) to 1.8%, and MAM from 4.0% to 5.6%, suggesting a statewide burden of approximately 15,644 children with SAM and 48,672 with MAM. Overall, the findings emphasize the value of real-time evidence-based data using innovative electronic MUAC tool and monitoring tool for rapid assessment of children under 5 years. This has helped in shaping effective planning for Nutrition interventions and to address persistent gaps in service delivery and reduce child malnutrition across the state.

Keywords

Maternal New Born Child Health Week 1; Malnutrition, MUAC, Assessment, Data

Citations

IRE Journals:
Ubana Nkem , Ogar Winifred , Owai Ebenezer , Vivien Otu , Bong Duke "Leveraging Technology and Digital Solutions in Assessing Under 5 Population to Ascertain Percentage of SAM/MAM Cases in Cross River State: Pilot Research" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 2 2025 Page 27-28

IEEE:
Ubana Nkem , Ogar Winifred , Owai Ebenezer , Vivien Otu , Bong Duke "Leveraging Technology and Digital Solutions in Assessing Under 5 Population to Ascertain Percentage of SAM/MAM Cases in Cross River State: Pilot Research" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(2)